#423 How to Handle Toxic Friends, with Dr. Marisa Franco

Love, Happiness and Success with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Ever feel like your friendship is taking more out of you than it gives? If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a relationship that feels draining, toxic, or just plain bad, you’re in the right place. In this episode of Love, Happiness & Success, I’m sitting down with Dr. Marisa Franco, a brilliant psychologist and bestselling author of Platonic, to talk about one of the toughest aspects of relationships—knowing when a friendship is no longer serving you.

Together, we’ll dive into the signs of toxic friends, how attachment styles play a role in our friendships, and whether or not these kinds of relationships can be saved. You’ll learn practical strategies to spot the red flags, approach difficult conversations with kindness and clarity, and—if it comes to it—find the courage to end friendships that have run their course.

Here’s what we cover:

• [00:00] The Friendship Trap: Why difficult friendships are harder to leave than romantic ones.
• [03:57] Attachment Styles in Friendships: How your past impacts your present friendships.
• [11:40] Making Positive Changes: How to recognize toxic patterns and start healing.
• [17:34] Conflict or Goodbye? How to assess if this friendship can be saved.
• [28:21] Deciding to End a Friendship: When enough is enough, and how to let go with grace.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a friendship is worth fighting for or it’s time to walk away, this episode is for you.

Ready to dig deeper? Take my free self-esteem quiz to see how your self-worth might be impacting your relationships: How Healthy is Your Self-Esteem?

Also, I’d love for you to join me for this week’s YouTube Livestream on Thursday at 12 pm MT, where we’ll talk even more about navigating toxic friendships. Submit an anonymous question in advance right here: Dear Lisa. I’ll see you there!

— Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby